SC appoints UP Lokayukta on its own; expresses disappointment over failure of constitutional authorities to do so

The Supreme Court, on 16 December,
used its powers and appointed a Lokayukta in Uttar Pradesh.Virendra
Singh, former judge of Allahabad High Court, has been chosen by the
SC.

The SC expressed its disappointment
over the fact that constitutional authorities appointed earlier by
the court had failed to discharge their duties.

The bench headed by justices Ranjan
Gogoi and NV Ramana stated that it was 'unimpressed' by senior
counsel Kapil Sibal's explanation. Sibal had argued that the team of
Chief Minister, leader of Opposition and chief justice of High Court
were unable to decide upon a name.

According to a Hindustan Times
report, Sibal told the bench that the three-member collegium had met
on two occasions for five hours and two hours consecutively.

After hearing his arguments, the
court decided to go ahead and appoint Singh as the state's Lokayukta.